Video Gaming Controller Bay for Mobile Devices

ABSTRACT

A gaming console facilitating universal game control for mobile devices capable of video gaming includes a housing supporting a video graphics display area, a coupling interface and docking bay strategically located in the housing relative to the display area for docking and coupling to a mobile device, at least one video game controller interface conveniently located on the housing relative to the display area, and at least one mobile device control interface conveniently located on the housing relative to the display area wherein the gaming console with a mobile device coupled thereto serves as a video gaming station for playing video games accessible to the mobile device, and wherein the at least one video game controller interface is used to execute and play a video game instead of controls resident on the mobile device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of video gaming and video gamingdevices and pertains particularly to a system and apparatus for adaptingmobile devices with standardized controller features for gaming.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

The Field of video gaming has grown tremendously over recent years anddevelopment continues. A variety of video gaming equipment and softwareis available on the market. Video gamers use console-gaming devices likean X-Box or Sony Play Station. Video gamers also use high-end personalcomputers running gaming software. For high-end video gaming, graphicsacceleration, processing speeds, and high definition/resolution videoscreens are of significant importance. Over the decades, portable videogaming devices have been developed and marketed successfully withNintendo Game boy, Nintendo DS, Sony Play Station, and Sony PSP amongmore notable models. The potential market for video gaming is muchgreater than the actual market. The dedicated gaming devices, althoughportable, still do not reach potential gamers that could swell theconsumer base if persuaded to try gaming from a more familiar devicethat they most likely already own.

More recently, software providers have designed video games forhand-held mobile devices like smart phones and personal digitalassistants (PDA). Many newer 3 G and 4 G mobile devices have sufficientprocessing power, data storage capacity, and screen resolution for videogaming. The I-Phone and I-Pod represent powerful platforms for which newgames are being developed. These devices have 3-D accelerated graphicscapabilities and sufficient storage capacity. Still, these devices thatuse touch screen Technology™ lack familiar controller features. Manytypes of hand-held or mobile devices including cellular telephones cansupport video gaming although limitations may exist relative toprocessing power, storage capacity and controller features available tothose devices.

One problem with playing video games on hand-held devices like cellularphones or music players is that the devices were not originally designedto support video gaming from a controller perspective. Mobile gaming hasnot been well received in the market mainly because of a lack ofstandard game controller features that are typically provided on consoledevice game controllers. Other limitations may include a lack of robuststorage on many hand-held devices and lower video screen resolutiontypical of many hand-held devices like cellular telephones.

It has occurred to the inventors that video gaming from mobile devicesmight be much more prevalent than it is today if the issues ofcontroller features, video display resolution, and storage capacity weresolved relevant to a wide variety of existing mobile devices thatalready saturate the market. Therefore, what is needed is a universal,portable docking system for mobile devices that can be used to enhancethe ability of those devices to be used for video gaming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problem stated above is that offering video gaming for mobiledevices such as music players and smart phones is desirable, butconventional control features on those mobile devices, and in somecases, screen resolutions and graphics processing speeds are notadequate for achieving the best experience of video gaming. Thereforethe inventors searched the functional elements of video gaming devicesand systems looking for elements that could be potentially harnessed toprovide an enhanced video gaming experience for mobile devices, but in amanner that would not inconvenience users.

Every computerized mobile device that might be used for video gamingaside from its primary function or functions has a user interface panel,typically consisting of buttons and controls that are designed forexecution of the primary function or functions the device was originallyintended to fulfill. In an inventive moment, the inventors collaboratedand realized that if universal controller features for playing videogames could be universally applied to many different types of mobiledevices that are capable of video gaming as a secondary function,enhanced gaming experience and expansion of the video game market forthose devices might result.

The inventors subsequently conceived and implemented a video gamingconsole and docking bay for mobile devices that included one or moresets of universal gaming controller features that allowed user to docktheir mobile devices to the console and use the universal controlfeatures of the console to play video games accessible to the mobiledevice thereby overriding typical mobile device control features. Theresult was that users could play video games more comfortably on themobile devices in a manner that did not severely limit operation of theprimary functions of those mobile devices docked to consoles.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, a gamingconsole is provided to facilitate universal game control for mobiledevices capable of video gaming. The gaming console comprises a housingsupporting a video graphics display area, a coupling interface anddocking bay strategically located in the housing relative to the displayarea for docking and coupling to a mobile device, at least one videogame controller interface conveniently located on the housing relativeto the display area, and at least one mobile device control interfaceconveniently located on the housing relative to the display area. Thegaming console with a mobile device coupled thereto serves as a videogaming station for playing video games accessible to the mobile device,and wherein the at least one video game controller interface is used toexecute and play a video game instead of controls resident on the mobiledevice.

In one embodiment, the coupling interface is a male universal serial bus(USB) interface connectable to a female USB port on the mobile devicedirectly or through a USB interface adapter. In this embodiment thecoupling interface connects to a mobile telephone, a hand-held computer,a music player, or a GPS unit. In some embodiments the gaming consolehas a power supply module for connection to a power source like a DC orAC power source. In another embodiment, the gaming console and dockingstation includes a battery charging interface adapted to provideelectric charge to a mobile device battery or batteries.

In one embodiment the console includes a mobile telephony control buttonfor initiating an outgoing telephone call; accepting and incomingtelephone call; or rejecting an existing caller. In this embodiment avolume control may also be provided to enable user control of the videogame audio as well as the audio output discernable from a docked mobiledevice.

In one embodiment, the gaming console further includes a wirelessadapter enabling wireless gaming involving more than one gaming console.In one embodiment, the wireless adapter is a Bluetooth™ adapter or awireless fidelity (WiFi) network adapter. In the embodiment using WiFifor two or more players, one console may be connected to the videogaming session over the Internet network.

In a variation of the wireless embodiment the video graphics of the gamemay be displayed on a television screen and the audio presented throughan audio system of a home entertainment system. In one embodiment theconsole includes a video gaming display screen and a resolutionconverter for enhancing resolution of graphics display of a mobiledevice. In another embodiment, the video display area is a transparentwindow through which the display of a docked mobile device may beviewed.

In another embodiment of the present invention the console includes amobile device adapter jacket and coupling adapter used to ready a mobiledevice for docking to the console.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for portablegaming is provided including at least one gaming console facilitatinguniversal game controller features for a mobile device capable of videogaming, including a housing supporting a video graphics display window,a coupling interface and docking bay for docking and coupling to amobile device, at least one video game controller interface, and atleast one mobile device control and a video game server accessiblethrough a wireless network connection.

In one aspect of the system the video game server is a network serveraccessed via the Internet network using a wireless network connectioninitiated by a mobile device. In this aspect the wireless networkconnection is a WiFi connection, or a wireless cellular connection. Inanother aspect, the video game server is a cable or satellite networkaccess box and the wireless network connection is a Bluetooth™connection. In another aspect, the network access box is a video gamingbox.

In one aspect of the system, the video game server is a mobile devicedocked to a gaming console. In another aspect, the video game server isa computer. In a variation of this aspect, the computer is a high-endgaming machine.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided foradapting a mobile device to play a video game with universal gamecontrol including the steps (a) providing a gaming console facilitatinguniversal game control for mobile devices capable of video gaming,including a housing supporting a video graphics display area, a couplinginterface and docking bay for docking and coupling to a mobile device,and at least one video game controller interface, (b) inserting a mobiledevice having access to an executable video game into the docking bay ofthe gaming console thereby coupling the mobile device to the gamingconsole, (c) using one of the at least one video game controllerinterfaces, executing a video game on the mobile device, and (d) usingone of the at least one video game controller interfaces for playing thevideo game.

In one aspect of the method, the mobile device is one of a cellulartelephone, an I-Phone, a hand-held computer, a music player, or a GPSunit. In another aspect, in step (b) the mobile device is first coupledto an adapter before insertion into the docking bay. In one aspect, instep (b) the video game is accessible in storage on the device or on anetwork-connected server the mobile device is connected to.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming console capable of coupling to amobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the console of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a gaming console capable of coupling to amobile device using an adapter jacket according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating electronic components of theconsole of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a gaming system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a gaming system according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor provides a video gaming console capable of docking orcoupling to a mobile device to enable the mobile device to play a videogame using standard video gaming controller features. The gaming consolealso referred to herein as a docking station is described in enablingdetail in the various embodiments described below.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a gaming console 100 capable of coupling to amobile device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.2 is a right-side view of the console of FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG.1, gaming console 100 serves as a docking station for a mobile devicesuch as a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), asmart phone, an I-phone™, an I-pod™, a hand-held computer, an MP3player, or a global positioning system (GPS) unit (mobile devices notillustrated).

Console 100, also referred to herein as a docking station, comprises adevice housing 101. Housing 101 encloses circuitry of the console andsupports controller features of the console and control feature foroperating a mobile device that may be docked to and coupled with thegaming console. Housing 101 may be manufactured of a durable plastic orany other semi-rigid or rigid materials that may be molded or otherwisefabricated to produce housing 101.

Referring now to FIG. 2, console 100 has a docking bay 111 providedwithin the housing of the console for accepting a mobile device therefor docking or coupling the mobile device to the console to enableconsole supported controls to be operated while playing a video game.Docking bay 111 may be adapted to physically accept one or more mobiledevice types such as an I-Phone™, for example.

A coupling interface 112 is provided within docking bay 111 for thepurpose of coupling a mobile device inserted into the docking bay to theconsole for the purpose of enabling the control features on the consoleto be used to execute and control play of a video game loaded on oraccessible to the mobile device. Coupling interface 112 may be auniversal serial bus (USB) interface. Housing 101 of console 100 has athickness dimension adequate for supporting docking bay 111.

Docking bay 111 has a depth, width, and length adequate for acceptingspecific physical models of certain mobile devices. In this example,docking bay 111 is open. In another embodiment a door or flip-up barriermay be provided to protect the inside of docking bay 111. Couplinginterface 112 may be strategically located within docking bay 111 suchthat a mobile device fully inserted into the bay is successfully coupledto the console. In one embodiment, intermediary adapters may be providedto enable specific device types to be adapted for insertion into dockingbay 111 and for coupling to interface 112.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a video graphics display window 102 is providedon console 100 and is adapted to provide a user with visual access to avideo graphics display screen generic to a mobile device fully insertedinto the docking bay. Display window 102 may be open in one embodimentthat is, without a hard or soft window covering. Display window 102 mayhave a hard or soft covering 109 provided that is transparent enabling auser to see through to the mobile device display. Covering 109 may be asoft polymer that enables a user to touch the video graphics displayscreen of the mobile device while it is inserted into the docking bay ofconsole 100. Covering 109 may also be a hared transparent plasticcovering or a glass covering.

In one embodiment of the present invention display window 109 mayinstead be a resident video graphics display screen that is used todisplay a video game instead of a video display screen resident on themobile device. In this embodiment the user may view a video game inhigher resolution than would be available on a mobile device.

Video gaming console 100 supports at least one video game controllerinterface for enabling a user to override the controls of a mobiledevice docked into and coupled with the console. A standard video gamedirection controller interface 103 is provided at a convenient locationon housing 101. Controller interface 103 provides standard directionalcontrol and selection control during video game play. Controller 103represents a standard controller interface that may be provided on anydedicated video gaming console. A standard action execution controllerinterface 104 is provided at a convenient location on housing 101.

Action interface 104 is a controller interface that enables programmableaction buttons common to video game controller interfaces. Interface 104has five buttons that can be programmed to provide action execution ofvideo game features. In one embodiment shoulder triggers (notillustrated) may be provided on housing 101. Other standard controllerinterfaces typically provided to gaming devices may also be provided toconsole 100 without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionincluding plug-in controllers. A video game start and select interface108 is provided at a convenient location on housing 101 of console 100.Interface 108 is adapted to enable game execution or termination andplayer selection. Other controls may be included in this interface suchas game pause and game search functions without departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

Gaming console 100 supports at least one mobile device controlinterface. A volume control interface 106 is provided at a convenientlocation on housing 101. Volume interface 106 comprises a two-buttonvolume control that controls the volume output of a mobile deviceinserted into the console. A call button 105 is provided to console 100and conveniently located on housing 101. Call button 105 overridestelephone call answer and reject controls typical of a mobile telephone.Other telephone functions can be represented such as call mute, callhold and call transfer. There are many possibilities. A headset jack isprovided at a convenient location on housing 101 of console 100 toenable application of headset for video gaming and telephone use if themobile device is enabled for telephony.

All of the console control features supporting game control or mobiledevice control while the device is docked to the console are wiredthrough the console housing 101 to coupling interface 112. In some casesthere may be more than one coupling interface provided within dockingbay 111. In one embodiment console 100 has a power module with an inputfor alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). In one case console100 may be plugged into a power outlet or jack using power cable 110.Other features not illustrated in this example may be provided toconsole 100 without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, some of which are described later in this specification.

FIG. 3 is a front view of gaming console 100 adapted for coupling to amobile device 300 using an adapter jacket 201 according to an embodimentof the present invention. Gaming device 100 is illustrated in thisexample without some of the controller features illustrated above forthe purpose of illustration of other features that may be provided. Allof the aforementioned features of console 100 may be assumed present. Inthis example, console 100 may accept specific mobile devices directlyinto docking bay 111 (illustrated by broken lines) without anyintermediate adapters. The console may be further adapted to acceptadditional mobile device types by providing an intermediate adapter. Inthis example adapter jacket 201 is provided for first accepting andcoupling to mobile device 300 before being docked as a system intoconsole 100 and coupling to interface 112.

Adapter jacket 201 may be manufactured of a flexible to semi-rigid orrigid plastic and is designed to accept mobile device 300 into a jacketopening. Jacket 201 is in a preferred embodiment translucent ortransparent to enable viewing of the video display screen of the mobiledevice. However is a case where console 100 includes an overridingdisplay screen, the jacket may be non-transparent or opaque.

Mobile device 300 has a coupling interface 302 provided on the side ofthe device rather than at one end of the device. Interface 302 may be afemale USB port for example. Jacket 201 has a male USB interface 301adapted to couple with interface 302 when mobile device 300 is fullyinserted into the jacket. In this example mobile device 300 isillustrated as fully inserted into jacket 201 and coupled therein bybroken outline.

Adapter jacket 201 has wiring provided thereto that routs interface 301to a male interface 303, which is in turn adapted to couple to interface112 when the mobile device with jacket is completely inserted intoconsole 100. The adapter circuitry and wiring of jacket 201 may beinstalled during a molding process. Adapter jackets may be manufacturedfor specific mobile device models having different mechanicalinterfacing requirements. Jacket 201 is universal in that it is adaptedto dock to and couple to console 100 regardless of the variant interfacecoupling made between a mobile device and the jacket. The interfacewiring and circuitry of the jacket provides an interface jumper to thecoupling interface 112 of the console unit. In this way, a wide range ofdifferent but similarly sized mobile devices may be docked to gamingconsole 100.

In one embodiment of the invention, console 100 may be manufactured withdifferent docking bay designs for docking to different mobile devicetypes or footprints. One may be provided for standard music players,another may be provided for standard cellular telephones, another may beprovided for smart phones, and so on. Jacket 201 may also be providedaccordingly depending on which device type a user wishes to work with. Afew combinations in design may be provided to handle most mobile devicetype configurations. In one embodiment, gaming console 100 may includean eject mechanism for enabling a user to physically eject a dockedmobile device from the console.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating electronic components of console100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Housing 101 ofconsole 100 is adapted in various embodiments to support electronics.Console housing 101 is logically illustrated in this example. Acircuitry board 401 may be provided to console 100 in order to supportvarious circuitry and components that might be provided to the device.

Some components illustrated in this example are described above withrespect to the aforementioned embodiments of the invention. Suchcomponents shall retain their same element numbers and shall not bere-introduced. Circuit board 401 may support a microprocessor 402.Microprocessor 402 may be provided to support certain functions andfeature of console 100 that may not be available on a mobile devicedocked to the unit. In one embodiment console housing 101 has a displayscreen window as described earlier in the specification. In anotherembodiment the console housing supports a video display screen andcircuitry that overrides the display of the mobile device once it isdocked.

In the latter of the above-mentioned embodiments circuit board 401 mayinclude video display circuitry 404, a memory (MEM) based graphicsaccelerator 403, and sound or audio circuitry 410. Sound circuitry 410may be a soundcard and video display circuitry 404 may be a video card.In this embodiment video and audio data from an inserted mobile deviceis boosted and enhanced for higher definition video and richer audio.Housing 101 may include a video/audio output to a system or to anotherdevice. Video and audio output from console 100 may be streamed or sentto a home entertainment center or other entertainment device or systemhaving a graphics display and speaker units.

In one embodiment a charging interface 405 is provided on circuit board401 so a mobile device may be charged while it is in use on the console.Board 401 further includes supporting circuitry like game controllercircuitry 406 and mobile device interface circuitry 408. Circuitry 408enables mobile device controls 105 and circuitry 406 enables gamercontrols (103, 104). In one embodiment a wireless adapter circuitry 409is provided to console 100 to enable wireless communication betweenconsoles and between consoles and other systems. The added circuitry andcomponents for video/audio output, graphics acceleration, and wirelesscommunication are optional features. Minimally all that is required tofacilitate a mobile device and to enable standardized game play (fromcontroller perspective) is a coupling interface like interface 112, andthe controller circuits for accepting overriding control of the mobiledevice for game playing and other generic functions particular to themobile device.

It is noted herein that wireless adapter circuitry 409 may be astandalone feature supporting Bluetooth™ and/or wireless 802 protocols(WiFi) or extension circuitry for extending the generic wirelesscapabilities of the mobile device in certain situations. Power inputjack 412 may accept power input from a system or wall-based power sourcesuch as an AC outlet. A speaker or system of speakers (not illustrated)may also be provided as an option for use with sound circuitry 410 toprovide a better audio output than would otherwise be the case if gamingon the mobile device alone without the console of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a gaming system 500 according toan embodiment of the present invention. System 500 includes a homeentertainment system display 505 used for displaying a video game 506during play. Other components of a home entertainment system may includea set-top box 504 and/or a video gaming box 503. The illustrated hometheater may be a cable-assisted system or a satellite-based system asillustrated by satellite transceiver 507. A data network 500 is madeaccessible to the home theater through set top box 504 and cable orsatellite connectivity.

A plurality of gaming consoles 509 (1-n) is illustrated in near vicinityof the home theater and connected wirelessly via a wireless gamingnetwork 508 to one another and to set top box 504 and/or gaming box 503.In one embodiment each gaming console (GC-1 through n) is cabled toset-top box 504 or to gaming box 503 for the purpose of receiving powerto charge mobile devices docked therein. In another embodiment theconsoles are not tethered to any system but may be optionally pluggedinto a power source for device charging purposes. In this systemconsoles 509 (1-n) may all be playing a video game that is displayed onsystem display 505 for better viewing.

A video game server is available in network 501 for storing and servingvideo games on demand. In one embodiment consoles 509 (1-n) are allconnected to gaming box 503 playing game 506 serve3d by gaming server502 on demand in real time.

In another embodiment game 506 is stored in gaming box 503 and is servedon demand from gaming box 503 by individual ones or all of consoles 505(1-n) connected on network 508. In still another embodiment any one ofconsoles 506 (1-n) may be a game server and game 506 may be resident onone of those mobile devices docked into a console the consolefunctioning as a player and a game server. In this embodiment theconsoles may be wirelessly connected to the set top box 504 and may usedisplay system 505, which may be a high definition television, toprovide a universal view of the game while users are playing the game.If one of the consoles has a mobile device connected to a game server ona network, that console may function as a game server and be recognizedby other consoles as such in the network. System 500 is characterized bythe flexibility of incorporating mobile device capabilities for gameplaying and by flexible locations for accessing video games to play onthe devices. All instances of game service in this example provide videogame streaming to either set top box 504 or to gaming box 503 resultingin display of the game and controlled access to the game by any or allof the consoles connected to the local network (508).

In one embodiment multiple games may be played simultaneously on displaysystem 505 using a split screen or multiple window technology thatrecognizes consoles 509 1-n as network nodes connected to the system bytether or by wireless network 508. Nodes GC-1 and GC-2 may be engaged inone game while nodes GC-3 and GC-n may be engaged in play of anothergame.

One with skill in the art will also appreciate that consoles 509 1-n mayalso engage one another in a multi-player gaming session without usingany home theater components whatsoever. In such an embodiment one of theconsoles would function as a game server and the other consoles wouldconnect via Blutooth™ or other wireless network method to the gameserver console. Software on the server device may be provided to enableother devices to control play through their consoles. The game may bestored on and executed from the mobile device docked to the game serverconsole. The display and progression of the game may be communicatedwirelessly to all of the console displays of the consoles engaged inplaying that game.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a video gaming system 600 according toanother embodiment of the invention. System 600 includes an Internetnetwork 601, a WiFi network 602, a cellular network 603, and aBluetooth™ network 604. Gaming console 1 (GC-1) and gaming console 2(GC-2) recognize each other over a Blutooth™ connection. Either consolemay connect to the other one via Bluetooth™. The mobile devices dockedin the gaming consoles may access Internet 601 via different wirelessnetworks. For example, GC-1 accesses network 601 via WiFi network 602.GC-2 accesses network 601 via Cellular network 603.

A gaming server 605 is provided within Internet 601 and is adapted toserve video games on demand to either mobile device docked to GC-1 orGC-2. In this simple system a user operating GC-2 may connect overcellular network 603 to gaming server 605 in network 701 to access avideo game on demand. GC-1 may connect to GC-2 over Bluetooth™ network604 and play the game accessed by the mobile device docked in GC-2. GC-2is a game server and game player while GC-1 is a game player. The rolesmay be reversed. Moreover, a video game may be stored on either mobiledevice docked to the consoles, in which case either console couldexecute a video game stored locally and the other device can play overthe Bluetooth™ connection without either mobile device being connectedonline or to any other network. The number of consoles that can engagein a gaming session in this manner is limited only by the rules of thevideo game served by one of the consoles.

It will be apparent to one with skill in the art that the video gamingcontroller bay of the invention may be provided using some or all of thementioned features and components without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. It will also be apparent to the skilledartisan that the embodiments described above are exemplary of inventionsthat may have far greater scope than any of the singular descriptions.There may be many alterations made in the descriptions without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

1. A gaming console facilitating universal game control for mobiledevices capable of video gaming comprising: a housing supporting a videographics display area; a coupling interface and docking baystrategically located in the housing relative to the display area fordocking and coupling to a mobile device; at least one video gamecontroller interface conveniently located on the housing relative to thedisplay area; and at least one mobile device control interfaceconveniently located on the housing relative to the display area;wherein the gaming console with a mobile device coupled thereto servesas a video gaming station for playing video games accessible to themobile device, and wherein the at least one video game controllerinterface is used to execute and play a video game instead of controlsresident on the mobile device.
 2. The gaming console of claim 1 whereinthe coupling interface is a male universal serial bus (USB) interfaceconnectable to a female USB port on the mobile device directly orthrough a USB interface adapter.
 3. The gaming console of claim 1wherein the coupling interface connects to a mobile telephone, ahand-held computer, a music player, or a GPS unit.
 4. The gaming consoleof claim 1 further including a power supply module capable of connectingto a direct current (DC) power source or to an alternating current (AC)power source.
 5. The gaming console of claim 4 further including acharging interface accessible via the coupling interface for chargingthe battery or batteries on a connected mobile device.
 6. The gamingconsole of claim 1 wherein the at least one mobile device controlinterface enables call initiation, call answer and call reject.
 7. Thegaming console of claim 6 wherein there is an additional mobile devicecontrol interface enabling volume control on the mobile device.
 8. Thegaming console of claim 1 further including a wireless adapter enablingwireless gaming involving more than one gaming console.
 9. The gamingconsole of claim 8 wherein the wireless adapter is a Bluetooth™ adapteror a wireless fidelity (WiFi) network adapter.
 10. The gaming console ofclaim 9 wherein in WiFi mode with two or more players engaged, one ormore of the players may be engaged over the Internet network.
 11. Thegaming console of claim 9 wherein the wireless adapter enables gamedisplay on a home entertainment television screen and audio through ahome entertainment audio system.
 12. The gaming console of claim 1wherein the video graphics display area is a video display screencoupled with a hi-definition graphics accelerator for enhancing lowerresolution graphics display of a mobile device.
 13. The gaming consoleof claim 1 wherein the video display area is a transparent windowthrough which the display of a docked mobile device may be viewed. 14.The gaming console of claim 1 further including a mobile device adapterjacket and coupling adapter for readying a mobile device for insertioninto the docking bay of the console.
 15. A system for portable gamingcomprising: at least one gaming console facilitating universal gamecontroller features for a mobile device capable of video gaming,including a housing supporting a video graphics display window, acoupling interface and docking bay for docking and coupling to a mobiledevice, at least one video game controller interface, and at least onemobile device control; and a video game server accessible through awireless network connection.
 16. The system of claim 14 wherein thevideo game server is a network server accessed via the Internet networkusing a wireless network connection initiated by a mobile device. 17.The system of claim 16 wherein the wireless network connection is a WiFiconnection, or a wireless cellular connection.
 18. The system of claim15 wherein the video game server is a cable or satellite network accessbox and the wireless network connection is a Bluetooth™ connection. 19.The system of claim 18 wherein the network access box is a video gamingbox.
 20. The system of claim 15 wherein the video game server is amobile device docked to a gaming console.
 21. The system of claim 15wherein the video game server is a computer.
 22. The system of claim 21wherein the computer is a high-end gaming machine.
 23. A method foradapting a mobile device to play a video game with universal gamecontrol including the steps: (a) providing a gaming console facilitatinguniversal game control for mobile devices capable of video gaming,including a housing supporting a video graphics display area, a couplinginterface and docking bay for docking and coupling to a mobile device,and at least one video game controller interface; (b) inserting a mobiledevice having access to an executable video game into the docking bay ofthe gaming console thereby coupling the mobile device to the gamingconsole; (c) using one of the at least one video game controllerinterfaces, executing a video game on the mobile device; and (d) usingone of the at least one video game controller interfaces for playing thevideo game.
 24. The method of claim 23 wherein the mobile device is oneof a cellular telephone, an I-Phone, a hand-held computer, a musicplayer, or a GPS unit.
 25. The method of claim 23 wherein in step (b)the mobile device is first coupled to an adapter before insertion intothe docking bay.
 26. The method of claim 23 wherein in step (b) thevideo game is accessible in storage on the device or on anetwork-connected server the mobile device is connected to.